Gary Neville accused the UK government of 'terrifying nurses' as he compared its treatment to Qatar's human rights record.
The Manchester United legend used the World Cup Final to criticise the government's handling of striking workers. He was discussing how the tournament had drawn a spotlight on the Qatar's working practices and treatment of migrant workers through its Kafala system, the Mirror reports.
Tens of thousands of nurses went on strike across the UK on Thursday and they will strike again on Tuesday (December 20). The Royal College of Nursing is calling for a pay rise of five per cent above inflation and they are one of a number of groups of workers on strike across the UK in recent weeks, including rail workers.
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Speaking on ITV Sport ahead of the World Cup final, Neville explained: “The working system of Kafala which obviously through football the conversation has started and it's been removed here now in Qatar but it is abhorrent and we should detest low pay, we should detest poor accommodation and working conditions.
“We can never accept that in this region or any other region and it is just worth mentioning we've got a current government in our country that are demonising rail workers, ambulance workers and terrifying nurses.
“In our country we've got to look at workers rights but when football goes, we have to pick up on workers rights wherever it goes because people have got to be equal and treated equal.”
Neville, who has been an outspoken critic of Britain’s Conservative government in recent years, continued: “We can't have people being paid an absolute pittance to work, we can't have people in accommodation that is unsavoury and disgusting. It shouldn't happen here.
“That shouldn't happen here with the wealth that exists. But it shouldn't happen with the nurses in our country either where our nurses are having to fight for an extra pound or two pounds.”
Bury-born Neville has been a prominent pundit on ITV Sport throughout the tournament while he has also worked in a punditry role on beIN Sports, the company owned by the Qatari state - a decision he has been criticised for.
Some fans took to social media to praise the Neville after he made his comments on Sunday afternoon.
One said: "Gary Neville making some fair points here, avoiding signalling out the Middle East when workers rights are also under attack at home. Credit to him for that."
Another added: "Well done @GNev2 for a TV rant against the UK government's treatment of workers especially the nurses. Not happy with your presence in Qatar but that goes a small way in making up for it"
However, others accused Neville of "virtue signalling" and trying to "deflect" from the scrutiny he has faced himself.
One person tweeted: "Of course Gary Neville, who is more than happy to take Qatari money made ridiculous and offensive comparisons between workers’ rights in Qatar and Britain. This is a political broadcast from that hypocrite."
Another added: "I think I just watched Gary Neville attempt to compare the British government to Qatar in the way it treats workers! Embarrassing!"
Neville’s fellow pundit Roy Keane also summed up the situation in Qatar, explaining in the ITV studio ahead of kick-off in the final: “This World Cup is stained. That's the bottom line. The football's been great but the football was always going to be great because you've got world class players but it is stained.”
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